Discovered in 1780 by a Karl Wilhelm Scheele, a Swedish chemist. It is made in muscle cells as a product of Anaerobic Respiration, when oxygen can't be used to provide energy for muscle cells glucose is oxidized to take the place of the oxygen and provide energy for the muscle cells. It is typically produced when excercising, but stays in the body for a short time as it is low in concentration, the body metabolizes it and produces energy, water, and carbon dioxide.
Another way to produce lactic acid is the fermentation process of yeast. Yeast uses very similar enzymes to the muscle cells, which creates the isomers of lactic acid. (http://www.bookrags.com/research/lactic-acid-chmc/) It is also often synthesized in a factory, and added into many food and skin products.
Uses
Used in dyeing
Can be used as a solvent for dyes, that are not soluable in water
Leather making
Used in making certain plastics
Misconceptions
Many people who typically talk about lactic acid are athletes, and those involved in athletics. Many believe it is a cause of fatigue in athletes, but it actually helps to prevent fatigue, due to it breaking down glucose to provide energy to an athletes body. The fatigue and soreness felt is actually muscle damage due to overuse.(http://www.bookrags.com/research/lactic-acid-chmc/)
Lactic Acid
By: Royce
Compound Information
Formula: CH3CHOHCOOH
A.K.A.: hydroxypropanoic acid, milk acid
State of matter: liquid
Molar Mass: 90.08 g/mol
Melting Point: 16.8°C
Boiling Point: Decomposes when heated
Basic Information
Discovered in 1780 by a Karl Wilhelm Scheele, a Swedish chemist. It is made in muscle cells as a product of Anaerobic Respiration, when oxygen can't be used to provide energy for muscle cells glucose is oxidized to take the place of the oxygen and provide energy for the muscle cells. It is typically produced when excercising, but stays in the body for a short time as it is low in concentration, the body metabolizes it and produces energy, water, and carbon dioxide.Another way to produce lactic acid is the fermentation process of yeast. Yeast uses very similar enzymes to the muscle cells, which creates the isomers of lactic acid. (http://www.bookrags.com/research/lactic-acid-chmc/) It is also often synthesized in a factory, and added into many food and skin products.
Uses
Misconceptions
Many people who typically talk about lactic acid are athletes, and those involved in athletics. Many believe it is a cause of fatigue in athletes, but it actually helps to prevent fatigue, due to it breaking down glucose to provide energy to an athletes body. The fatigue and soreness felt is actually muscle damage due to overuse.(http://www.bookrags.com/research/lactic-acid-chmc/)
Links:
"Lactic Acid" 21 Nov. 2009 http://www.brianmac.co.uk/lactic.htm"Lactic Acid" 21 Nov. 2009 http://www.bookrags.com/research/lactic-acid-chmc/
"Lactic Acid Basic Information" 21 Nov. 2009 http://www.chemicalbook.com/ProductChemicalPropertiesCB8193447_EN.htm
Images:
<http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http:www.3dchem.com/imagesofmolecules/lactic-acid.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.3dchem.com/molecules.asp%3FID%3D415&usg=LexyINkQaw1gYZ_jOqwH_OhNn0Y=&h=345&w=349&sz=13&hl=en&start=1&um=1&tbnid=3Zg6g6vN_kOzlM:&tbnh=119&tbnw=120&prev=/images%3Fq%3DLactic%2Bacid%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26um%3D1><http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http:upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/23/Lactic-acid-skeletal.png&imgrefurl=http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lactic-acid-skeletal.png&usg=nhOeyuPS3UVT1KVQELsiHwQb1PI=&h=1012&w=1100&sz=17&hl=en&start=2&um=1&tbnid=tzm40owZ9f53DM:&tbnh=138&tbnw=150&prev=/images%3Fq%3DLactic%2Bacid%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26um%3D1>
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